Ireland’s ‘voice of the sea’ may have stepped away from the microphone – but Tom MacSweeney is as vocal as ever when it comes to marine matters

For two decades, Tom MacSweeney’s voice has been synonymous with Ireland’s maritime culture. His popular Seascapes radio programme on RTÉ 1 has propelled marine news, views and tales over the Irish airwaves since 1979. Tom retired from the show in 2009, having built up a fan base that went way beyond professional mariners. ‘When Seascapes was new we wanted to encompass everyone who has a marine interest and any member of the public with a sea story to tell,’ says Tom. ‘When I left the show, housewives and children were listening to it, as well as fishermen, sailors and the like. The thing is, the Irish are an island people. I would always say: “We are all islanders. Let’s be proud of that.”’

It’s this focus on Ireland’s tightly knotted bond with the sea that has often led Tom to criticise Irish politicians. ‘I believe all Irish governments since the 1960s have failings when it comes to marine policy. Many politicians fail to recognise we are an island nation. We are not in the centre of Europe – we are a western outpost. We have no chunnel or bridge, so we are reliant on the sea. I pointed out several times on the radio that 95% of Irish imports and exports are by sea. So our ports and shipping are vital arteries, and yet they have been neglected.’

Tom is keen to highlight positive developments too, though. ‘There have been some moves towards developing the seafood industry recently. The Marine Institute [set up in 1991] is very positive too, because they have research vessels and carry out some very important scientific and environmental work,’ he points out. ‘Plus there was the formation of the Irish Coast Guard. For a number of years, the Republic of Ireland was dependent on the RAF and Royal Navy helicopters to do search and rescue work here. But since the 1990s the Coast Guard has developed and got its own helicopters, which have assisted in Northern Ireland and other areas. So the Coast Guard gives help as well as receives it, which is very healthy. We marked 10 years of Seascapes with a visit from the 911 Squadron of the Royal Navy, and they marched in a Kinsale D-Day parade. It was one of the first times that you had the Royal Navy and Irish Navy together like that. It underlined the fact that rescue at sea knows no barriers.’

That powerful sentiment is also echoed in the RNLI’s cross-border work, according to Tom. ‘I’ve met many lifeboat crew members through the show. And I mean it when I say that I am lost in admiration for them,’ he says. ‘The service they provide is wonderful and so is the RNLI’s interaction with sailors. That education side is really important. I think the message from the RNLI and other organisations about lifejackets is getting across. I rarely see racing sailors without lifejackets now. Now we just need to remind them to wear their crotch straps!’

Tom began his career as a print journalist before moving into broadcasting, and he still writes regular press columns. He’s still involved in broadcasting too – as the Lifeboat went to print, Skippers had begun, an RTÉ TV fishing documentary that Tom worked on as script consultant. He’s also planning to set up a marine book publishing company. Despite his busy media career, though, Tom still finds time to go afloat. ‘I was a late starter with sailing but I’ve grown to love it. It’s a sport for life, a sport for all – whatever your age or ability. I’m a great advocate for boating because, in Ireland, we are all part of the family of the sea. That’s why the politicians should be looking at the oceans, not looking inward. You’ll never find me moderating my views about that.’